> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/william-klein · updated 2026-11-02

# William Klein (1928–2022)

## What is William Klein’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 666 auction results for William Klein at 40 houses since 1991. Over the last 24 months the median price was $4,064 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,353–$6,096, n=65). The auction record is $257,344 for Smoke and Veil, Paris (2006, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

**Top auction records: paintings, drawings & sculpture**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smoke and Veil, Paris, 1958 | Gelatin silver print | $257,344 | Christie's | Apr 2006 |
| 2 | Anouk Aimée for Vogue, Paris, 1961, 1961 | Gelatin silver print | $107,698 | Sotheby's | Jun 2022 |
| 3 | Hat + 5 Roses, + Barbara, Paris, 1956, 1928 | Cartes-de-visite | $63,000 | Christie's | Feb 2024 |
| 4 | Smoke + Veil, Paris ('Vogue'), 1928 | Cartes-de-visite | $62,500 | Christie's | Mar 2015 |
| 5 | Anouk Aimée and Cigarette and Matches, Paris, 1959 | Gelatin silver print | $50,583 | Christie's | Oct 2005 |
| 6 | Piazza di Spagna, Rome, Vogue, 1962 | Cartes-de-visite | $48,000 | Christie's | Feb 2007 |
| 7 | Black traces + 4 yellow pastilles, 2018 | Myrrh | $38,764 | Phillips | Nov 2018 |
| 8 | Smoke + Veil, Paris, 1928 | Cartes-de-visite | $37,800 | Christie's | Feb 2024 |
| 9 | Brooklyn, New York, 1955, 1926 | Cartes-de-visite | $35,000 | Christie's | Apr 2011 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gun 1. New York, 1954, 1954 | Épreuve argentique (2001), rehaussée à la peinture émaillée rouge et noire, contrecollée sur panneau | $39,669 | Ader | Jun 2024 |

**Median price by medium (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)**

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 414 | $3,741 |
| Works on paper | 10 | $1,233 |
| Other | 152 | $568 |

**Median price by size (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)**

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 11 | $10,625 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 82 | $8,818 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 361 | $2,790 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 666 results from 40 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


William Klein is an American artist with 879 auction lots recorded since 1991, median price $2,833. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by William Klein sold in 2026 for $3,810, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**1 William Klein work is coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [William Klein on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/william-klein?ref=kg:william-klein) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a William Klein work worth?

Across 644 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a William Klein work is $2,833.

The median William Klein photograph sells for $3,215 across 528 lots.

The median William Klein print sells for $341 across 66 lots.

The median William Klein work on paper sells for $5,697 across 4 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) William Klein photographs typically sell for $1,684–$5,362 (the middle half of 328 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) William Klein photographs typically sell for $4,965–$16,132 (the middle half of 78 sold lots).

Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 73 | $341‡ | $38,764 | 90.4% | 2026-10-15 |
| Works on Paper | 5 | $5,697 | $12,500 | 80% | 2019-10-02 |
| Photography | 638 | $3,215†‡ | $257,344 | 82.8% | 2026-10-08 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 33 | $27,500 | $257,344 | — | 2026-04-17 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 58 | $214–$512‡ | $336‡ | $5,434 |

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 328 | $1,684–$5,362†‡ | $3,250†‡ | $257,344 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 78 | $4,965–$16,132† | $8,945† | $63,000 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 10 | $2,556–$12,031† | $5,871† | $25,400 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Photography | 2006 | $257,344 |
| Photography | 2022 | $107,698 |
| Prints & Editions | 2018 | $38,764 |
| Works on Paper | 2019 | $12,500 |
| Prints & Editions | 2019 | $11,208 |
| Works on Paper | 2017 | $7,645 |

The highest recorded result in each medium. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is a William Klein worth?

Across 644 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a William Klein work is $2,833. The median William Klein photograph sells for $3,215 across 528 lots. The median William Klein print sells for $341 across 66 lots. The median William Klein work on paper sells for $5,697 across 4 lots. Small (under 50 cm) William Klein photographs typically sell for $1,684–$5,362 (the middle half of 328 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) William Klein photographs typically sell for $4,965–$16,132 (the middle half of 78 sold lots). Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

### What is the average price of a William Klein photograph?

Based on 528 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a William Klein photograph is $3,215. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

### What is William Klein's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a William Klein photograph is $257,344.

### What is the average price of a William Klein print?

Based on 66 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a William Klein print is $341. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is William Klein's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a William Klein print is $38,764.

### What is the average price of a small William Klein photograph?

Based on 328 sold lots, the median auction price of a small William Klein photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $3,250, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

### What is the average price of a medium William Klein photograph?

Based on 78 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium William Klein photograph (medium (50–120 cm)) is $8,945, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is William Klein's auction record?

William Klein's auction record is $257,344, set in 2006.

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Data last updated 2026-11-02. OpeningBid tracks 15,390,829 auction lots from 577 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “William Klein auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/william-klein (updated 2026-11-02).

Historical auction data, not investment advice. Prices are premium-inclusive USD where the buyer's premium is recorded. Figures marked † are hammer prices (buyer's premium not included); ‡ marks a price whose basis is not yet verified. Non-USD results are converted at the sale month's rate.